RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM AKA ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM (OWTS)
Maintaining your septic system, ISDS or OWTS is critical in protecting your health and drinking water supply, your neighbors heath and drinking water supply, our environment, and your investment in your home and property.
In Rhode Island, septic systems, once called Individual Sewage Disposal Systems (ISDS) in the recent past, are now called an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM).
The following is a list of RI DEM recommendations for maintaining your septic system/OWTS:
- No OWTS will operate efficiently without proper care and maintenance. Maintenance requirements vary according to the type and complexity of the OWTS installed. Contact your designer or installer for additional guidance as you feel necessary.
- Learn the location of your septic tank and keep it accessible. The tank should be routinely inspected and pumped as necessary.
- Minimize the amount of water going into the system. Use flow reducers in showers; repair leaky toilets and sinks.
- Do not flush disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, or other similar items down the toilet.
- Do not disturb the soil in’ the-area of the leaching system, and do not allow vehicles to park or drive over this area.
- Do not locate sheds, swimming pools, gym sets, shrubs or trees over the area of the leaching field.
- Be sure the area of the leaching field is graded to prevent surface water from rainfalls or roof drains from collecting over or near the system.
- Use extreme care in disposing of household chemicals. Many household chemicals can upset the operation of septic systems and some may pollute drinking water supplies, particularly if wells are nearby.
- Do not use acids or organic solvents to attempt to unclog septic systems: use of such chemicals is prohibited by OWTS regulations.
- Beware of claims made by manufacturers of so-called “septic system cleaners, additives or enhancers”. Studies show that these products generally do not improve the effectiveness or service life of OWTS systems and may, in fact, do the opposite.
Foster Survey Company, RI Land Surveyors » 401-647-9240 » Because Trust and Experience Matter!
If you have any questions about designing an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) septic system for your new home, to upgrade your cesspool, to renovate your existing home, or to repair your failing septic system/leach field, please call Eric Colburn, PLS at 401-647-9240, Ask the Pro or use our contact us form.
Foster Survey Company provides Rhode Island septic system designs, land development, land surveying and subdivision services for: Bristol County, Kent County, Newport County, Providence County and Washington County for the following RI Cities and towns: Barrington, Bristol, Burrillville, Central Falls, Charlestown, Coventry, Cranston, Cumberland, East Greenwich, East Providence, Exeter, Foster, Glocester, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Johnston, Lincoln, Little Compton, Middletown, Narragansett, New Shoreham, Newport, North Kingstown, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Providence, Richmond, Scituate, Smithfield, South Kingstown, Tiverton, Warren, Warwick, West Greenwich, West Warwick, Westerly, Woonsocket.
About Foster Survey Company
Foster Survey Company is a Rhode Island Professional Land Surveying Company established in March of 1993. We are Registered Licensed RI Professional Land Surveyors serving all Rhode Island. Because Trust and Experience Matter, our core beliefs are to give superior professional land surveying services that will benefit you with: Value, Experience, and Quality!
